Scrap metal imports to Turkey will recover in January—July 2026 amid high shipments from the United States and Romania.

According to data provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), in July this year, the volume of scrap metal imports to Turkey increased by 12.7% year-on-year and by 4.5% month-on-month to 1.66 million tons. The volume of these imports amounted to 690.31 million dollars, which is 27.7% more than in the same period last year and 5.0% more than in the previous month.

In the first seven months of this year, scrap metal imports to Turkey amounted to 11.33 million tons, an increase of 4.4 percent, while the value of these imports increased by 8.7 percent to 4.45 billion dollars year-on-year.

The volume of scrap metal imports to Turkey over the past 12 months месяцев

By supplier, the most notable event was the recovery of the US position. Imports from the United States increased by 10.6% year-on-year to 2.21 million tons, which allowed the country to maintain its position as the largest supplier of scrap metal to Turkey. In July, imports from the United States also increased by 57.7% to 440,840 tons, which significantly supports the monthly figures.

In contrast, imports from the Netherlands decreased by 21.6% to 1.37 million tonnes, which is one of the most significant reductions among traditional suppliers. Imports from the UK increased by only 1.2% from January to July and amounted to 1.27 million tons, while July shipments from the country decreased by 53.3%..

Romania, Lithuania, Russia, France and Bulgaria stood out in terms of growth. Imports from Romania increased by 66% to 903,165 tons, while July shipments from the country also increased by 122.9% year-on-year. Imports from Lithuania increased by 18 percent to 616,134 tons, while a very significant increase of 352.4 percent was recorded in July. Although imports from Russia increased by 23.4% from January to July to 563,918 tons, they decreased by 15.6 percent in July. A 27.1% increase in imports from France of 360.043 MT and a 120.1% increase in imports from Bulgaria of 229.154 MT were also among the most noticeable changes in the supply structure.

Overall, the data show a limited but visible increase in scrap imports to Turkey in the first seven months of the year. This growth was driven, in particular, by increased purchases in the United States, Romania, Lithuania, Russia and other countries. France, while reduced imports from the Netherlands and Poland limited overall growth. In July, imports increased by 12.7% year-on-year to 1.66 million tons, indicating that import demand remained high in the summer.

Below are the 10 largest sources of scrap metal imports to Turkey in январе-июле:

Participates in the production of scrap metal in Turkey import - January-July 2026